Journal Three: Strengths and Weakness’s By Coach Daniel Arndt

    As I am reading the books The House on Mango Street By Sandra Cisneros, and One and Done By Maurice Clarett with Bob Elkhart I am noticing a slight change in my opinion of reading.   I traditionally enjoy books that are more consistent with One and Done, however I am finding myself enjoying The House a little more.  

   As I am reading the House I am absolutely amazed with how Cisneros is able to actually place me in the scene with the characters and locations.   One that really sticks out to me was when Esperanza was talking about her grandmother and how she wondered how she felt about her life as she looked through the window.   I can actually see in my mind an elderly women rocking in a chair with a blank look on her face looking out into the world, I can imagine her thoughts and feelings.   In my opinion that is power, when you can take a person and actually put them in the scene.   There have been so many more situations like this, the stolen Cadillac, Marin working the streets, and Rosa Vargas being exhausted from raising so many children.  

   As for One and Done, I am still enjoying the reading and find myself wanting more however I find a lot of inconsistencies in the book which are making me wonder how sincere Maurice really is in the writings. As we discussed in class he made a comment that he was not going to glorify the life style and I find him contradicting that statement through the first five chapters.  So similar to Chris I question the writing and authenticity of it.  A strength for the book for me anyways is that I can relate to the book and its presentation working with kids who have grown up in similar situations as Maurice, so I feel that this book would definitely draw interest from young inner city kids, and those who have lived the life style and that is a definite strong point of the book.

   As I am reading One and Done I am finding that Maurice was desperately looking for approval and a fatherly figure on a constant basis.  He was starving for attention and approval at a very young age when he felt hustling on the streets to gain approval from his peers, his brothers, and girls was the best direction for him to travel.   Another key point that sticks out to me was he was always looking for the fast track.  He refused to play at Ursuline because he was not guaranteed a varsity spot, he left Austintown because he felt he would not receive exposure, he was going to leave Warren because he felt he needed to get to ND as quick as possible if he wanted to play.   I question his loyalty and commitment to his Coaches, peers and the process.  I am not saying he is a bad guy I just think he looks out for number one.